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Projects Updates for place: Wohlers Hall

  1. Glass recycling finds funding on campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Indoor Bin Update
    Glass Recycling at Housing Catering Services

    Glass recycling finds funding on campus

    Recycling+and+trash+bins+lie+near+the+west+courtyard+of+the+Union+on+Wednesday.+The+University+offers+more+than+3%2C000+recycling+bins+around+campus+including+glass+deposits.%0A

    MARK CAPAPAS

    Recycling and trash bins lie near the west courtyard of the Union on Wednesday. The University offers more than 3,000 recycling bins around campus including glass deposits.

    BY LUIS VELAZQUEZ, STAFF WRITER
    OCTOBER 10, 2019

    A glass recycling bin located in the Illini Union Courtyard surprised associate director of Facilities and Services for Sustainability Morgan White because she thought the University does not partake in recycling glass. Although many bins around campus only have places for plastic, paper, cardboard and scrap metal to be recycled, the University Housing Dining Services still funds glass recycling.

    More than 3,000 recycling bins are available throughout campus in dorms, as well as public facilities where plastic bottles, paper, cardboard and scrap metal can be recycled. 

    “A few times in the past 30 years, we have reviewed the materials that go through the F&S Waste Transfer Station, and we found that there is a very small amount of glass,” White said in an email. “Recently, Waste Characterization Studies were done for (eight) buildings on campus, measuring the exact amount of waste materials produced by each of those buildings.”

    According to White, Dave Guth, interim senior associate director of operations at the Illini Union, said, “This is probably one of the last remaining fiberglass bins we have in the building. The old containers had a separate stream for glass bottles and aluminum cans/plastic bottles.”

    White said although small amounts of glass come from campus buildings, the University Housing’s Dining Services have chosen to fund glass recycling.

    According to the Waste Management and Recycling website, “The University ‘diverts about 30% of its waste from landfills.’”

    With help from the F+S Waste Management Department, the University is aiming to reach its goal of reducing the total amount of waste sent to landfills. The University’s objective is to obtain a Zero Waste Campus environment, as indicated in the Illinois Climate Action Plan.

    The Waste Transfer Station, a facility for recycling goods, operates daily compacting and shipping trash to a landfill. However, the recyclables that come from campus are manually sorted and deposited into storage bins. After being compressed in a different bin, they are sold to recycling companies.

    Nichole Millage, environmental sustainability specialist for the City of Champaign Public Works Department, said the city offers glass recycling, but does not actually collect or process trash. This job is done by other companies, such as private solid waste haulers.

    “The City manages a multifamily recycling program (Feed the Thing), but the pick-up services are contracted to a private hauler (Midwest Fiber Recycling in Urbana),” Millage said in an email. “Per City Code, all licensed residential solid waste haulers in the City of Champaign are required to accept glass for recycling from residents.”

    Lesly Ortega, sophomore in LAS, said she believes since the University does not tell students to recycle, the majority do not properly recycle trash. However, Ortega is glad the University offers this option in general.

    “I feel like glass is used a lot more now,” Ortega said. “A lot of the refreshments sold in vending machines or in stores are accompanied with glass, so instead of it being thrown away, it should be recycled.”

  2. Collection Containers to Increase Recycling Efforts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Indoor Bin Update
    Zero Waste SWATeam

    As part of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s effort to improve sustainability, new recycling and landfill collection containers have been distributed to buildings on the Urbana campus. Eventually, more than 20 buildings will have the containers, which feature three top openings with easily-identifiable and color-coded labels for either “landfill,” “paper,” or “bottles & cans.”

     

    Collection Containers to Increase Recycling Efforts

     

    Pete Varney . Facilities & Services

  3. New Collection Containers to Help Increase Recycling Efforts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Indoor Bin Update

    Click here to see this online

    As part of Illinois’ effort to improve sustainability, new recycling and landfill collection containers have been distributed to buildings on the Urbana campus.

    This first set of containers can be found in Gregory Hall, Lincoln Hall, English Building, Henry Administration Building, Wohlers Hall, and the Physical Plant Service Building. By fall 2019, 113 containers will be deployed across campus, primarily in first-floor hallways to divert recycled products away from the landfill.

    The containers feature three top openings with easily identifiable and color-coded labels for either “landfill,” “paper,” or “bottles & cans.” The acquisition and distribution of the new collection containers was coordinated from the office of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, the F&S Waste Transfer Station, and by Pete Varney, associate director of Operations, Maintenance & Alterations, Transportation & Automotive Services.

    “We are striving to add consistency to receptacles across campus,” said Varney. “We’ll continue to increase the number of containers over time, but we want to get a big impact out there now. We want to start someplace where they will be seen, they will be noticed, and they will have an impact.”

    The containers will help continue to raise awareness about the importance of recycling on campus, according to Shawn Patterson, transportation manager.

    “What we see is, ‘Just throw it in the trash can and [F&S] will recycle it,’ and that is something that sets a bad example for us, for the students, and for everybody especially going forward. We need everyone’s help to make sure we are recycling the right things, and these containers will make it easier for students, faculty, and staff members to help us accomplish the university goal of an increased recycling rate.”

    The Waste Transfer Station diverted 26.2 percent to recycling in FY2019, with a goal set by the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) of 30 percent by 2020 and 35 percent by 2025.

    For more information about the program, contact Associate Director of Operations, Maintenance & Alterations, Transportation & Automotive Services, Pete Varney pvarney@illinois.edu, 217-333-7583.

  4. Award Letter - Union Water Fountains

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Currently, the Illini Union has a variety of water fountains in the facility, totaling 16 units. Select fountains were retrofitted in 2009 with “goose-neck” style bottle filler fixtures, however these are susceptible to damage and not filtered. Ten units in public areas are funded for replacement in this project with Elkay fountains that have built in bottle refill stations. These water fountains will make it much easier to fill water bottles than the current water fountains and provide filtered, cool water to students and guests. These fill stations will also track the number of bottles saved from the land fill and will provide this information on an LED screen at the top of the refill station. The LED screens on each water fountain can be used as an educational resource for all users. These new Elkay water fountains will encourage everyone to refill their water bottles because each unit provides a real time digital display of the number of bottles saved from the landfill.

    Attached Files: 

  6. process for shifting funds

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    From: Johnston, Morgan B

    Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 10:54 AM
    To: 'Amy Liu'
    Cc: Burris, Marques Javyn; Bartels, Bart A; Kinley, Kathryn R
    Subject: RE: Tap That Signage

    Hi Amy,

    I think you should ask Marques or Katie for the current account balance for this project (water fountain retrofit).  The CFOP is 1-303692-815100-815184-815RET.  Then, you need to get a vote from the SSC committee to approve the change in scope to reflect the # of glass fillers installed, and give you permission to spend the remaining money on signs.

    Once you have SSC permission, then we will talk to the individual facility managers for the buildings, to get their approval of any signage.  At the libraries, for instance, you may be able to put a flyer on their bulletin boards, but not at the actual fountains.

    Thanks!

    Morgan

  7. idea to shift funds to educational signs

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Morgan,

    I was telling Nishant about plans to return $5,000.00 to the SSC. He said wait, you should consider putting signs by the fountains reading something to the effect of "this bottle filler was funded by the student sustainability committee". I know this is something David really wanted before. What do you think about that? Would it fit into the budget, comply with codes for putting up signs, etc.

    Amy Liu

  8. Meeting with Amy Liu

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Met with Amy because she was interested in moving some of the funding from retrofits to education.  I told Amy about some of the education projects I have worked on in the past including a taste testing table.  Amy seemed interested in having a table in the student union starting early next semester.  After the meeting I stopped and talked to Stephanie about groups that might want to join in the effort.  The information was passed on to Amy.  Amy said she would make contact and try to get enough volunteers to run the table for 20 hours per week.  She was also going to try to change the scope of the funding so she could make marketing material. 

  9. Meeting with zero waste coordinator set for Dec. 3

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 4:25 PM, Bartels, Bart A <bbartel@illinois.edu> wrote: I am happy to help.  Love the educational aspect.  Taste testing tables can be very successful along with a cost comparison highlighting how much a student can spend on bottled water that doesn't meet the quality standards of tap water.  Count me in. From: Amy Liu [liuaimiwork@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:11 PM To: Johnston, Morgan B Cc: David Mischiu; Bartels, Bart A Subject: Re: glass fillers   Thanks Morgan!    Bart, I'm entertaining the idea of collaborative educational events and promotions for Tap That. What is your opinion at this point? And would you be interested in meeting on a day after Thanksgiving break to discuss this? Any insight is appreciated.   Cheers, Amy Liu

  10. Next set Approved

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Morgan talked with Amy and David today about this project.  They approve moving forward with the other buildings. They just want us to use good common sense when selecting water fountains worthy of the retrofits.  That is, if you think the fountain should be replaced at some time in the next few years, then don't put a glass filler on it.     We also discussed the issue of potentially changing the project scope to fund some Tap That marketing needs.  Also discussed doing additional fountains in the buildings around the main quad.

  11. Water fountain retrofits completed in first set of buildings

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Morgan,    We are done with the following- Aces Library Main Library Undergraduate Library Grainger Library Loomis   I have the parts for the following off the original list and would like to start them with your ok. Armory Natural Resources Buillding   I would also like to try and install one on the fountain at Wholers and Sibel to see if we can make them work in those buildings.   Thanks,   Mark Warner Plumbing Foreman

  12. Meeting about water fountains

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Matt Emmert, Jeff Schrader, Morgan Johnston, Amy Liu, and David Mischiu met to discuss the water fountain glass fillers project.  Mark Warner from the F&S plumbing shop was unable to make it due to a scheduling change. 

    • Do not put a spout on a fountain that is scheduled to be replaced.  
    • If two fountains in one location, put a spout only on the shorter fountains.
    • If the water fountain cannot easily be converted, then skip that fountain.

    1) Undergrad library.  Put them on the west upper level by elevator, lower level by elevator, espresso royale area, and the upper level east side (inside the library, on carpeted area).  F&S should also replace the one noted fountain, outside of the project funding.

    2) Grainger library.  The ones on the first floor are consistently having problems... Just do one per floor, except third floor. F&S should also fix the buttons on the first floor fountains, outside of the project funding.

    3) ACES library. First to fourth floor on south side.

    4) Main Library.  Put one on both in basement, east and west.  First floor center east.  Third floor north side. Put one on the fourth floor south side, after replacing the fountain. 

    Could talk with Sherri Miller at classroom reservations to get high use buildings. Lincoln Hall.  What happens if the spout gets popped off?  Does water shoot out?  

    Wohlers, leave off. Leave Natural Resources Building off.

    David, Amy, and Morgan will meet with facility contacts for the other buildings.  Loomis, Siebel, Armory.  

    Only order the spouts for one building at a time. 

     

     

     

  13. meeting set up with Mark, Amy, David, and Morgan

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Mark Warner visited the building sites for the proposed glass filler water fountain retrofits and will share the information with Amy Liu, David Mishiu, and Morgan Johnston at a meeting on October 1.  Jeff Schrader and Matt Emmert will join us from the Library facilities team, as well.

    Also, Mark Barcus spoke with Morgan Johnston to clarify the management of this project within the F&S structure.  He will confirm for Morgan that Mark Warner will manage the project from the Maintenance group, rather than a construction superintendent from the Construction group.

  14. Amy Liu is interested in talking with fraternities and sororities

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Amy Liu spoke with Morgan Johnston at the SSC working group kickoff meeting about reaching out to sororities and fraternities about reducing waste by using reusable water bottles.  Morgan provided Amy with contact info for Michelle Hart in the Student Services Building.  Amy also suggested the catchy phrase "Tap that" to associate their efforts with tap water. Morgan noted that she is still setting up the water fountain tour with the plumbing shop, hopefully for next week.

  15. Library excited about glass fillers

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Hi Morgan,

    That is fantastic news!  The Library has installed a few in the Main Library and has received numerous thanks for providing easy means for faculty, staff and students to fill drinking water containers. 

    Bill Mischo, Head Librarian - Grainger, Lori Mestre, Head Librarian - UGL and John Wilkin, Dean of Libraries will be very pleased.

    Approved

    Many thanks to the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Jeff

    ------------------------

    Work orders submitted for Grainger and the Undergrad Library (UGX).

  16. work orders submitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Work orders were submitted for the following locations:

    • Armory, floors 1 and 3
    • Wohlers Hall, floors 1 and 2
    • Loomis Lab, floors 1 and 2
    • Siebel Center, basement and floor 1
    • Natural Resources Building, floors 1 and 2

    The Housing location at Ikenberry Commons (actually called Student Dining and Residential Programs, SDRP) was discussed with John Humlicek, and they have already installed bottle fillers at that location.  They are also working to install one per floor of all residence halls.

    The Library locations have been shared with Jeff Schrader in the Library to get his input before installation proceeds.

  17. Morgan talks with Mark Warner in Plumbing Shop

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Mark Warner is the Plumbing Shop Foreman who will oversee the installations of these water fountain glass fillers.  Morgan gave him the preliminary priority list, discussed the work order methodology, and gave him the SSC funding requirements document.  The key points in the SSC funding requirements are (1) the funds must be spent by May 31, 2014, and (2) there must be at least 57 glass fillers installed with this funding.

    Morgan will submit one work order for each building. 

  19. meeting with Morgan and Amy

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Amy Liu and Morgan Johnston discussed the process for moving forward.

    1. Morgan will submit a work order to F&S installers.
    2. Morgan will schedule a tour of the proposed locations, with Amy, Morgan, and the F&S installation contact.
    3. F&S installers will proceed to install the glass fillers as quickly as possible, in the order previous identified.
    4. Amy will meet with the Illinois Student Senate, Environmental Sustainability Committee, to seek their attention to this project.
    5. Amy will continue working on the anti-water bottle campaign.

     

  20. List of Locations

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    David Mischiu and Amy Liu met today to form a very basic list of priority buildings for filler installment. Additionally, they determined which floors for each building would be most useful to have them on. Here is the list, 1 indicating highest priority. 

    1. Undergraduate Library, floors 1 and ground level
    2. Grainger Library, all floors
    3. Ikenberry Commons, floor 1
    4. Armory, floors 1 and 3
    5. Wohlers Hall, floors 1 and 2
    6. Loomis Lab, floors 1 and 2
    7. Siebel Center, basement and floor 1
    8. Natural Resources Building, floors 1 and 2

    They still want to take a look a few more buildings in the quad. Whatever is surveyed from that might not even change the list presented already, but add to how this project could materialize in the future.

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